The chill of winter begins to settle in the air as the winter holidays approach. Department stores fill with eager shoppers rushing in and out of the doors, while snowflakes drift gently from the clouds and down to the ground… or at least, they would if it ever snowed in Texas. Winter is a magical season for everyone, and it’s known that no holiday is completely enjoyable without an appropriately themed movie to enjoy it.

Everyone enjoys watching holiday films around this time of year. Holiday films have carved people’s lives since the first Christmas movie ever, “Santa Claus” in 1898. Christmas films have been shaping the atmosphere for the holidays time and time again. Films like “Home Alone”, “It’s a Wonderful Life”,” A Charlie Brown Christmas”, and “A Christmas Carol” all truly embody the spirit of the season and give you that warm, comforting feeling inside.

Some movies like “Home Alone” are cult classics that must be rewatched every single year. “‘Home Alone’ is a classic, the first movie is always the best movie,” says junior Aven Ford. These masterpieces almost always beat modern holiday movies because modern movies lack something the old ones have: Creativity. “All the modern Christmas movies are basically the same,” says Ford. “Classic Christmas movies offer more variety and feel more at home in a peaceful meaning.” 

Modern Christmas movies have a bad reputation of not being able to bring holiday cheer to people’s hearts like the old ones. The best examples of this phenomenon come from the infamous “Hallmark” movies. “I hate those movies with a burning passion,” says Ford. “Not only are they repetitive and bland, but they are also predictable. It’s really easy to guess the plot–they’re all romantic comedies. Hallmark movies ruin that cozy, home-like feeling. It’s all over the place and not very thought out.”

Others like junior science teacher Mrs. Katie Watson find the “Hallmark Formula” to be the selling point of these corny classics. “Even though it’s all very predictable like, ‘so-and-so is going to save the Christmas tree farm and they’re going to get together with the person they’ve been hinting at the whole movie’, there is something very comforting in know it’s all going to work out and it’s going to be happy,” says Mrs. Watson.

Even though modern Christmas films may not be as lulling and relaxing and classic ones, they can still leave a lasting impression to the viewer. Films like “Violent Night”, “Bad Santa”, and “Elf” have typical Christmas movie themes but have their own contemporary twist that make them a must-watch every December.

But the one thing that everyone can agree on is how tranquilizing it can feel to watch Christmas movies and relive your most festive memories. “It’s a tradition I had with one of my family members that is no longer here,” says Mrs. Watson. “It’s very nostalgic for that reason. It makes me feel nice and cozy like they’re there.”

Whether you’re a fan of classic Christmas films or find joy in the charm of heartwarming cliches, the most important thing is to enjoy your holiday season with loved ones. So, grab some popcorn, get comfortable under your blankets, and dive into the movies that make your holidays special. I hope that you have a fun and fulfilling holiday season!